Work Injury Claims And Third-Party Lawsuits

An injury at work can wreak havoc on a person’s life. It may be difficult to pay medical bills and take care of family members; dealing with an employer and its insurer can be overwhelming. Workers’ compensation claims are not our expertise, but we can help you find a lawyer to handle your work injury claim to make sure your rights are protected. And if it turns out your on-the-job injury was caused by a third party (not a co-worker or your employer), we can help

When Workplace Injuries Are Also A Personal Injury Claim

Under Georgia law, injured workers are not allowed to sue their employers or co-workers, as workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy. However, if a third party caused a work-related injury, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against that person or entity. For example, a property owner, municipal entity, careless driver, utility company or subcontractor on a worksite might be liable. Our attorney can identify and pursue any third-party claims you may have above and beyond your workers’ compensation benefits.

Serious Work Injuries May Require Long-Term Relief

Workplace injuries may include fractures, lost limbs, lacerations, head injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injuries, and injuries caused by other employees or equipment. Many workers who have suffered such injuries express concern that their employers will react negatively to them hiring an attorney. This is a legitimate concern; however, employers and their insurers – who have teams of attorneys on retainer and available at a moment’s notice – know that a worker who has capable legal counsel is far more likely to know how to protect himself or herself than is the unrepresented worker. As a result, it is the unrepresented injured worker, easy prey for employers and their insurers, who far more frequently falls victim to the strong-arm tactics that can be employed against an out-of-work employee who lacks the resources and knowledge to adequately protect himself or herself.

Injured workers should not, therefore, handle their workers’ compensation claims on their own. An employer will seek to protect its own rights, not the workers’. It is imperative that workers understand their legal rights, including their right to independent medical assessment, and how and when benefits must be paid. Our firm can ensure legal rights are not forfeited or unjustly withheld.

For a free consultation with attorney Richard Kopelman about your possible personal injury claims from a work-related accident, call or text Kopelman Sitton Law Group, LLC, at 404-351-5900 or email us.